TootArd / Live in Toronto

The migrant birds are back! The trailblazing Arabic disco pop ensemble are taking over the dance floor on Friday, Oct 16 @ Drake Underground. Limited capacity. ABOUT TOOTARD TootArd (Arabic for 'Strawberries'), is the acclaimed musical project of brothers Hasan and Rami Nakhleh, who hail from the village of Majdal Shams in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights. Known for continually reinventing their sound, TootArd is celebrated for their boundless creativity, consistently reshaping their musical landscape with each new release. Their artistry is a fusion of global pop hooks and quarter-tone melodic lines, crafting a distinctive blend of disco and dance music that draws inspiration from the rich musical traditions of SWANA (South-West Asia, North Africa) and beyond. TootArd effortlessly melds retro funk elements with a contemporary, high-sheen sonic palette, resulting in a captivating and boundary-pushing musical journey. Their music transcends geographical borders, captivating audiences worldwide and solidifying their status as a dynamic force in the global music scene. Their songs balance infectious grooves with thoughtful storytelling, exploring themes of home, migration, identity, and belonging while inviting audiences onto the dance floor. “The catchy pop hooks and machine beats layered with Arabic quarter-tone melodies evoke the hedonistic dance floors of Cairo or Beirut in the 1980s - although that’s only half the story. Underneath the frothy confection lie darker lyrics about exile and statelessness.” Uncut “Theirs is intelligent, culturally affirming songwriting that’s free from commercial imperatives, with Levantine canon modalities explored and lovingly modulated with contemporary shifting tempos and unexpected instrumental tonalities.” Morning Star Experience one of the Arab world's most exciting live acts, get your tickets today (limited capacity, early purchase recommended). DISCOGRAPHY - Listen here: https://linktr.ee/tootard